Suction-line-flow control



Nov. 23 1926.

E. P. HESS SUCTION LINE FL OW CONTROL Filed May 19, 1926 LNVEN'TOR A'F'ORNEY eqww.

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Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

UNITE/1D: STATES .ERWIN P. HESS, OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYI VANIA.

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Application filed May 19,

This invention relates to pumps such as are generally used in connection with hydraulic accumulators, and has for its chief object, the provision of a novel constructlon of means for preventing the pump from pumping fluid into the accumulator, when the maximum storage capacity of the latter has been reached, and permit the pump to operate torthis purpose when the capacity of the accumulator has been diminishedto a predetermined degree.

More specifically stated, it is my purpose to provide a valve in the suction line of the pump and automatically controlthe operatlOlIOI the valve to governthe amount of fluid entering the suction side of the pump, to prevent fluid from being pumped into the accumulator after the latter has been filled to its capacity, and allow the full capacity of the pump to be delivered to the accumulator when the capacity of the latter has been diminished to a predetermined extent.

In carrying out the invention I contem-i plate the use of a suction pipe or flow controlled valve and operating means therefor, whereby the object of the invention may be accomplished without resorting to any mechanical arrangement for operating the pump suction valves or by synchronism of the same with any moving parts of the pumping machinery.

he nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in con nection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed,

The figure in the drawing shows the relation of the pump and accumulator, the loca tion of the control valve, and the means for automatically controlling this valve in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawing I have illustrated electrically operated means for accomplishing the desired result, the pump being indicated at 22 and the accumulator generally at 23. The suction pipe or line for the pump is shown at 24 and the discharge pipe at 25. The valve 26 is arranged in the suction line or pipe 24 and includes a handle 27 connected by a link 28 to one end of a lever 29, the latter being tulcrumed at a point between its ends as at 30. The other end of this lever 29 is connected with a solenoid,

1926. Serial No. 110,260.

which supports a weight 31, the solenoid being arranged in a normally open circuit which includes an automatically operable switch.

The switch may vary in construction without departing from the spirit or: the invention, but essentially embodies a base plate 32 which supports contacts connected with the wires 34, while pivoted on the base 32 is a movable contact lever 35. The base also supports a stop'pin 35 ior limiting the movement of. the lever 35 in one direction, The means for. operating this switch automatically is substantially the same as that described for operating the valve 14, consistingof a cable 37 trained over pulleys 38 suspended from a suitable overhead support. One end of the cable supports a weight 39 arranged above and in the path of movement of the cylinder 23 of the accumulator, while the other end or" the cable supports a weight 40. Carried by the cable 37 are spaced collars ll and 42 respectively arranged at opposite sides of the movable contact lever 35 as clearly illustrated, and adapted to singly engage the latter to open and close the circuit to the solenoid 43.

In practice when the parts are arranged as shown in full lines, the weight 31 is utilized to hold the lever 29 in its full line position and the valve closed, the valve being connected with this lever in the manner above described. hen the parts are in the position just mentioned the tank 23 is spaced from the weight 39, and the latter utilized to shift the cable 37 in a direction to bring the collar 42 into engagement with the contact lever 35, moving it away from the fixed contacts 33 to break the circuit. Now, as the cylinder 23 moves upwardly, contacting the weight 39, the cable 37 is shifted in an opposite direction to bring the collar &1 into engagement with the contact lever 35, moving the latter into engagement with the fixed contacts 33 closing the circuit to the solenoid 4C3. When the latter is energized, the weight 31 is moved to its dotted line position shown in Figure 2, thus reversing the position of the lever 29, thereby opening the valve 26.

As above stated the pump operates intermittently to replenish the accumulator with fluid from time to time, and after the valve in the suction line has been closed to prevent fluid from passing into the accumulator, the fluid remaining in the suction chamber 01": the pump will merely churn back and forth until the valve is again opened. However, upon opening the suction pipe flow controlled valve, full capacity of the pump Will be delivered to the pressure system during one revolution of the pump. The valve arranged and controlled in the manner above outlined provides a very satisfactory construction for loading and unloading the pump as the occasion requires. It Will be further noted that the construction and arrangement of parts herein shovcn for automatically loading and unloading the pump lorthe pur pose described, accomplishes this object in a very satisfactory manner Without resorting to any mechanical arrangement oi oper ating the pump suction valves or by any synchronism oi the same with any other moving parts of pump machinery,

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention 'Will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construetion and arrangement herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of What is claimed.

lVhat I claim is:

In combination, a pump, a 'hydraulic accumulator, a suction pipe for said pump, a discharge pipe establishing communication between the pump and accumulator, a valve in said suction pipe, a solenoid included in a normally open circuit, means including said solenoid for normally holding the valve in one of its positions, a switch arranged in the circuit with said solenoid, and including a movable switch element, and means for automatically controlling the movements of said element to open and close the circuit, whereby the valve is closed When the accumulator reaches the limit of its capacity, and said valve automatically opened when the capacity of the accumulator is diminished a predetermined amount.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ERWIN P. HESS. 

